Cvs Compromises On Design

New Plan Leads Historical Society To Back Off Fight Against Proposal

GLASTONBURY — Characterizing the new CVS Pharmacy design as a ``fairly decent compromise,'' the historical society's director says the group probably will not try to block the proposal.

``They've come a long way and we appreciate the effort they've put into changing it,'' said James Bennett, the society's executive director, after reviewing new architectural drawings submitted by the Colvest Group.

Colvest proposes building the CVS on Main Street next to Katz Hardware. Under a recently revised proposal, Colvest plans to save and renovate the Eurto house, one of three buildings it previously planned to demolish.

The proposed CVS building also has been redesigned to include dormers, lintels, a clapboard and brick exterior, and other design touches to help it blend with the historic feel of Main Street.

``This is being done basically to preserve the streetscape, which the [zoning] commissioners, town staff and the historical society have all said they wanted,'' said Peter LaPointe, a representative of the Colvest Group.

For months, historical society members have expressed concerns about the CVS project. Specifically, they did not want the developers to tear down the Eurto house, the old Masonic Lodge and the Franklin building, a former house now used for businesses.

They were also unhappy with the store's proposed appearance, which they considered incompatible with the historical character of the area.

After reviewing the latest plans, Bennett said, he and other historical society officials were happy that Colvest plans to keep and restore the Eurto house.

And although he characterizes the new design as a ``very nice-looking building,'' Bennett says the historical society's strong opposition to earlier designs was important.

``They would have built the first version, with the concrete, if no one had made a big guff about it,'' he said.

They are still not happy about the loss of the other two existing buildings, but do not plan to fight the proposal on that basis, Bennett said.

LaPointe, the CVS representative, said the changes are ``a direct result of the positive input'' from members of the zoning commission's subcommittee, which has reviewed the proposed designs in depth.

The head of the local Masons has also said that the group wanted to demolish its old Masonic Temple anyway because of maintenance problems there and the expense of supporting that building plus their new home in South Glastonbury.

When Colvest applies for the town plan and zoning commission's approval, Katz Hardware will apply at the same time to renovate the side of its building.

That would allow both businesses to share a center parking lot. Also, it would let Katz -- which has been there 80 years -- to compete more successfully against Home Depot if that chain moves to Glastonbury as proposed, store owner Dick Katz said.

``With CVS next to us and the ability to expand, there's no question that we'll be there for another 80 years, even with the competition coming in,'' Katz said.

Colvest and Katz expect to file their applications with the town plan and zoning commission in April.